Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1887-01-06

how she and he used to make the nsh-
er boats at home into omens? And. ac-
cording to the number that passed
them in a certain time. obtain answers
to their questions respecting their tut
ure? Did he recollect how, the very
night before their quarrel, he and she
had gone to the cliffs beyond the
manor, and. when he had declared he
would let the fisher boats decide their
future for him. and the odd number
had answered ''Ycs" to his inquiry is
to whether she was to GO with him to
India or not, a late boat had crossed
the long path of moonlight that led
from the sea to the sky. and answered
No at the very moment in which he
was claspiDg her in his arms. overjoyed
at even the mere idea of her giving up
her duties at home to 60 with him?
Nay, he could not remember. as she
did, every sail on the tiny vessel as
they cleaned for moment like a
sheet of silver, and then passed away
into shadow. Nor could he recollect
the scent of the seaweed and the sound
of the choir in the church as they
practised their carols. wildly careless
of tune and time as they took advan-
tagA of the choir mistress absence. If
so, he could never have left her as he
had done.
The eight years had not altered Edith
one whit. While she was still at home,
the sister who was to hsve succeeded
her in her duties had married, and 1t
was Laura's husband witt whom Edith
was sitting in the Inyalids' Corner,
taking Laura's place for the present, as
Lauras baby was only abou: fort
night old. How could Edith know
that Mrs. Priestly was dead, and that
the Majors loneliness was due to the
fact of his being widower? How
could Major Priestly know that Edith $
heart was still his, anu that one word
from him would suffice to make her
stretch out her hands 10 him, and take
back the troth he had broken so many
years ago? As the quick days went on,
bringing Christmas nearer. Edith
longed to speak. Major Priestly lay
there so lonely-so very, very lonely.
No one ever sat by him. No one ever
came and asked him how he was.
Every morning his servant would ar
range the rug and chair in the same
unsatisfactory manner, and after turn
ing the newspaper for his master where
only the; advertisements were visible,
Notwithstanding strict orders to the
contrary, would disappear only to re-
turn with the midday letters. And
again, when the sun went down, he
would come with the white pony that
drew the chair back again to the hotel,
where the Major spent long, sad even
iDgs, thinking over the past.
Every word that Edith spoke to her
companion, that he occasionally over
heard. made him more than ever con-
vlnced that she was married. And.
although at times Dugald Scott had
tried to begin conversation with him.
when he was left alone, while Edith
sought for shells or tiny very late. or
very, very early flowers, that even at
Christmas were to be found in the
chimes. the angry state of mind would
not allow him to avail himself of these
advances, and he received them so
coldly that even Dugald's good nature
"Ouiu uOt Stssuo SuCu COuStaut ACOuuS,
and he soon gave up trying to make
the Major speak. Ursa Major, Dugald
called him. and Edith would often
Vince at the description her brother
in-law gave of his sulky companion;
and more than once she was going to
take him into her confidence. simply
rs means of stopping his needless
talk. But the remembrance of the way
in which she had been Tilted kept her
silent, and there seemed small chance
of the two lonely souls, who were long
ing to forgive and be forgiven, ever
speaking to each other again, when
quite a small thing occurred which
might have been tragedy. and only
ended, as things ought to end, in mar
riage bells.
The night before Christmas eve had
been terrible. The great north wind
had risen when the sun set angrily be-
hind the lovely range of hills to the
right of the Invalids' Corner. and
came signing and moaning through
the pine trees that presently began to
creak md groan like the masts of
ship st sea. Then a ragged gray
cloud drifted by, and the rain came
swirling down through the air; the sea
began to roar and lash the cliffs. now
foaming at their feet. then rolling in
with an angry howl that could be
heard ell over the town. And, in less
time than it takes to tell it, the whole
atmosphere seemed turned into a bat
where the wind and the rain
fought and strove together for mas
terry. The morning broke peacefully,
the blue sky. flecked with puffs of
white clouds. looked like April; late
thrush sang Justify, and the robins
seemed as vocal as larks. There was
no one at all in the Invalids' Corner
when the Majors pony arrived there.
The damp of the night before was ris-
ing from the shore and cliffs. under
the warm sunshine, and was drifting
out to sea. where the fishing boats
were dashing past under the fresh
breeze. rs if in hurry to make up for
lost time.
When the pony was embarrassed.
the Majors servant said:
Il must put you bit further back.
sir. These cliffs are like powder. and
give directly there's any rain, You
might have nasty fall; for see. sir.